Product Description

Hibiscus syriacusis a widely cultivated ornamental shrub in the genusHibiscus. Common names includeRose of Sharon(especially in North America),Shrub AltheaandRose Althea.

Hibiscus syriacus, the common garden Hibiscus is also called Rose of Sharon. It is a flowering shrub native to much of Asia. It is vase-shaped, reaching 2-4 meters in height. Hibiscus syriacus is the national flower of South Korea.

The flowers come in several colors, including white, pink, purple, blue, red or bicolors, with a different colored throat, depending upon cultivar. Continuous blooms often occur from July through September. The flowers can reach 2-4 inches in diameter. The flowers are hermaphrodite, they have both male and female organs.

Garden history

Hibiscus syriacus, the only hardy hibiscus shrub, has been a garden shrub in China since time immemorial; it leaves were brewed for a tisane and its flowers are eaten. It was grown in Europe from the 16th century, though as late as 1629 John Parkinson thought it was tender and took great precautions with it, thinking it "would not suffer to be uncovered in the Winter time, or yet abroad in the Garden, but kept in a large pot or tubbe in the house or in a warme cellar, if you would have them to thrive." By the end of the 17th century, some knew it to be hardy: Gibson, describing Lord Arlington's London house noted six large earthen pots coddling the "tree hollyhock", as he called it, "that grows well enough in the ground".[3] By the 18th century the shrub was common in English gardens and in the American colonies, known as Althea frutex and "Syrian ketmia".

The trunk is white-gray and relatively smooth, branching very near to the ground unless limbed up into tree form. Since plants bloom on new growth, shaping or pruning can be done at any time; prune in late Winter or early Spring in northern climates.

Hardiness zones 5-9. When planted in colder areas, they will need protection for the first few Winters. It prefers a well-drained humus rich fertile soil in a position in full sun. Plants grow best with their roots in cool moist soil and their tops in a hot sunny position. The tree is very adaptable to various soil pHs, soil compaction, drought, heavy pruning, and pollution. It will succeed in any soil of good or moderate quality.

germination

The seed can be directly sown after last frost and that gives a good germination rate. Germination is usually fairly quick. Procure light and warm temperature and a moist soil.